Author's Note: My first attempt at a one-shot and a Christmas story. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

There’s nothing greater then working as an ice cream parlor in the winter. Dairy Queen wasn’t exactly the perfect job for a girl with a serious lactose intolerant issue. My tied back ruby red hair bobbed as I walked to retrieve a chocolate chip ice cream cake from the freezer.

“Can I get Merry Christmas written on it?” The wanna-be-soccer mom stated. Her bulging belly showed how very pregnant she was. I took out the red and green pastry bags then decided to turn to the customer.

“Of course.” My tone was chipper then normal. Usually I was pissy toward the ice cream loving kids that came in. Mainly because I grew up with the neighborhood my whole life and knew every snot nosed face kid that strutted through those doors. “Would you like green or red though?”

“Green. Thank you so much.” She was happy. Well I would be happy too if I was spending holidays with my family. I saw the shiny wedding band on her finger. I would also be happy if I had a man in my life.

As I wrote those words very neatly on the cake I thought. I was hardly in the Christmas spirit. Even though the holiday was about two days away I couldn’t help, but remember the stupidity that was my life. I was a freshman in college with only the support of my grandmother to help me. Last month my mother had died after a long struggle with breast cancer. The reason I didn’t have a family to go home to was because of a stupid fight my grandfather and I had over money.

Money was always a problem in the family of my late father. They didn’t like my mother, so there for they did not like her trouble making daughter. They often even denied I was a part of their family. My grandmother only saw me as a relative. My mother’s family lived in Ireland. I had no money to visit so I was stuck in the suburbs for the holidays.

I beamed at my work. The only thing I was good at. The only thing someone would thank me for.

“Oh it’s so beautiful.” The brunette peered at the cake smiling. I rang it up. She gave me a bill and when I gave her the change she stuffed about five singles in the tip jar. Of course I thanked her. I sighed watching her leave.

I was the only one working the night shift besides the owner Mr. McNaughton. He just did his accounting in the back. At least I wasn’t totally ditched for the holidays. My roommate Rosie had agreed to invite me to her place over break. The whole break! It was a sweet deal. Rosie was my best friend since coming to school, so shouldn’t her family be just as nice?

The bell to open the door clang against the door as it opened. I heard the noise of children arguing. A loud rude boy I recognized. I got excited, not because of the children, but because of their guardian.

“Hey, Jeremy!” I called to the college student wearing a sweatshirt stating the name of his Ivy League school which was fairly close. He was a knock out. He had about six five sporting mounds of muscles. His bored look was always stuck on his face. He had bed room eyes that made me want to drool.

“Hey, Deanne.” He called as he attempted to grab the giggling girl. “You mind getting us the usual?” He grinned as the boy spun on the stool. “Don’t do that Joey.” The kid just laughed.

“Sure one original sundae, a cotton candy blizzard, and a pecan mudslide.” I went about doing my rounds as Jeremy went about calming down his niece and nephew. Jeremy was a regular on weekends. He had explained that he took care of his niece and nephew while his sister and her husband had some alone time. He had explained when the kids were preoccupied that his sister was attempting to get pregnant again. Jeremy was a nice guy. Easy to talk to.

“That’s right.” He said with a smile as he came to the counter. The two siblings were quietly arguing. “How’s everything going for you Dee?” Ah, he had a nickname for me. It was the same as Rosie’s.

“Okay. How about you? Are you still trying your hand at the law?” I remembered Jeremy was going to be a lawyer, but was still wondering if he should be a police officer.

“I’m still in school.” He told me in his throaty voice. “I’m leaning more towards the cop root, but my parents want me safe.” I was drizzling the hot fudge over the ice cream. I continued to work as he talked.

“I can understand where they are coming from.” I told him. “They don’t want to see you hurt.”

“Well, what about you? How is becoming a teacher working out for you?” Yes, I hated children and I was going to be a teacher. It was the thing everyone was doing including me. Why not? I’m sure the little boogers were growing on me.

“Passed all my classes so I am looking forward to it.” It was a terrible lie.

“Any plans for Christmas?” Either he was being polite or asking me out.

“Kind of.” I told him. “No family time.” He didn’t say anything. I could have sworn the sound of ah escape his mouth. I finished off all the desserts in record time.

“Wow,” He said staring at his mudslide. “They didn’t even have time to complain.” He took out his wallet and put his bills on the counter. I rang it up and took the money. “You are really good at your job, Dee.” I smiled. It was the only thing I was good at.

--

Rosie was pushy. Pushy as she pushed me into her parents’ home. Introducing me to her father the trucker and her mother the busy little homemaker. Not to mention her sixteen year old brother, Tanner who eyed me like I was a bright shiny new toy. And by toy I meant a giant blow up Barbie.

She led me to her room which had two bunk beds. I put my stuff down. I sighed at the fact of Mrs. Thorn’s need to hug me and say she was sorry for my troubles. That I was always welcomed with them. People I had just met I was always welcomed with.

I was told Rosie’s older brother and sister would be arriving soon. I laid on the blue floral print taking a breath. I thought about my love life which was pretty much a blank slate. A date to prom from Brody Dean, who was one of my close friends and not to mention making out with him in the car afterwards. We never dated. It was just one of those in the moment things. Not to mention Brody getting accepted to a school across the country.

In college I had no social life. School work took control of my life giving me little friends and little time to find a boyfriend. Jeremy had come into my life once a week and I had to admit I had a crush on him. Hot and easy to talk to. Those two things usually didn’t go hand in hand.

“Boo!” I hit my head on the top bunk as Rosie peeked at me from the top bunk. I cursed her out and she laughed. “Sorry about that.” Suddenly I heard the door open. “Oh they are here. “ She hopped off. “My brother is cool and my sister has two kids and a very grumping husband. No one will judge you. Sorry about my mom.” She admitted combing her fingers through her short blonde hair.

We started down the stairs and I saw something unbelievable. A happy looking woman wearing a red velvet dress, a man in a wool coat and curly black hair, two familiar looking siblings, and Jeremy staring up at me with a surprised yet settling grin.

--

Rosie wasn’t surprised I knew Jeremy and she got the fact that I had a crush on him. After Christmas Eve dinner of a ham, mashed potatoes, and vegetables, we played a game of charades. Rosie had fixed it so Jeremy and I were on the same team.

I had never had so much fun in my life. Jeremy was more fun than anyone else I had ever hung out with. Despite his constant bedroom eyes and sexy voice he managed to crack jokes. Soda almost went through my nose. I rubbed my nose still hurting. I was in bed and it was close to midnight. Rosie was quietly snoring and I was grinning remembering Jeremy.

“Hey,” I heard a loud whisper at the door. Jeremy was at the door creaking it open. “Mind if I join you?” He didn’t make it seem like an innuendo just like he wanted some company.

“Sure.” My heart skipped a couple beats as he snuck in. He slipped under the covers with me. His warm body was pressed against my side.

“So this is really nice.” He breathed quietly. I nodded. “I’m actually glad you and my sister are friends. She needs good friends.”

“Me too.” I admitted. “Rosie is my best friend in a very long time.” I sighed.

“Rosie is a good girl. She lost her boyfriend three years back you know?” He informed me.

“No, I didn’t know that.” That was weird Rosie didn’t tell me.

“She doesn’t deal with grief well. I never saw
her so sad.” He sighed. “Then one day she decided that he wouldn’t like to see her mope. He wanted her to be happy. That’s why she wants to be a counselor.” I nodded. I understood her career goal now.

“I don’t really have a motive to be a teacher.” I admitted. “To tell you the truth I hate kids.” At least he knew the truth now.

“So do I.” He admitted in a whisper. I couldn’t believe it. Dear Uncle Jeremy hated children. I was in shock. “But it’s different with blood. Joey and Laurie are great kids once they stop the fighting.”

“So do you want kids?” I asked of him. I was curious. Mainly cause I wasn’t sure either.

“Yeah,” He breathed stretching his arms. “I mean I want to pass on my name and all that good stuff. Also make my parents happy with grandchildren.” I smiled that was really nice of him.

“Yeah the passing on thing is only for guys.” I told him. “I always wanted a little girl. I don’t know. If I ever had kids I’d want a girl.” I thought it over. Dressing up baby dolls was my favorite pass time as a child.

“So Dee do you . . .” I waited for him to say as he rubbed my arm. “Like me?” I paused smiling.

“Definitely.” I breathed accidently cuddling up to him. I wanted to move away, but he hugged me closer.

“Ah, you’re warm.” He laughed quietly. “So am I though. We’re both warm blooded. We were a good team tonight. We should team up again.” He suggested this time an innuendo was formed.

“Any time.” Oh how badly I wanted this. Wanted him. I wanted him a lot.

I turned my face close to his. He looked at my lips. A classic sign before a kiss. Both our faces moved at the exact same pace. Closing in on each other softly and quickly. Once our lips met they became more eager. More forceful and before I knew it we were making out.

His shaven head was rough against my fingers. My lips smacked softly against his. His hands grabbed at chunks of my red hair. He steadied my neck as his lips engulfed mine. Mine were no stranger to kissing. I was prepared for this. Not this in particular. Not making out with Jeremy in his parent’s house with my best friend snoozing in the bunk above us.

My body chaffed against his plaid pants and white tee. I found his fingers under my shirt. Yes under my shirt. Against my stomach. They were eager to rip off the shirt. Eager to do what he may with me and I wanted to let him. I would let him.

And in that moment just before midnight things didn’t seem so bad. My family problems were out the window. My money troubles gone. My lack of career motivation also all a glitch to me. All that was on my mind was Jeremy. The man I was falling in love with. The man that taught me Christmas could be special.

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